Letters to the editor 8/12

There is no cure for stupid politics

Borrow $250 billion without a vote - that's what the New York state public authorities have done. There are 1,169 of these "authorities," and they all want to put us in debt.

What happened to the promise to rein in authorities? The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is building "East Side Access," which connects the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Station. It's only 10 years behind schedule and $4.4 billion over budget. Great management?

The state Thruway is borrowing $5 billion for the Tappan Zee Bridge project but needs to pay $100,000 for credit check before they can get a loan? This is on a job designed by the contractor? No cure for "stupid."

The state puts a hold on hydrofracking but allows hundreds of oil tanker trains of crude oil into New York at Albany. It allows New York City to burn No. 6 oil in buildings but the city wants to ban 16-ounce drinks.

Vice President Joseph Biden (President Obama's sidekick) pushes for railroads. Amtrak has never ever made a profit. Privatize them, the MTA and the state Thruway, eliminate every other agency and give some of the money to the poor. Meanwhile, Long Island College Hospital and Bedford/Stuyvesant Hospital, both in Brooklyn, are closing. "Bed/Stuy" has mostly black poor and the great majority of the hospital patients are on public assistance. Duh. Those are the people "Obamacare" was supposed to help. Where's big "Al" Sharpton or Jesse Jackson? Silent!

Which reminds me "No cure for stupid."

Tom Mannix

Rhinebeck

Joe Torres is a life saver, great man

Two months ago I experienced a seizure at a local bank. During the seizure I fell, cracked my skull and was bleeding very heavily. I was also choking on my tongue and would have likely died if not for the immediate action taken by Joe Torres, a personal banker at the bank. I am told that Joe began to administer first aid the moment I hit the floor. He took steps to control the bleeding and positioned my body so I wouldn't choke on my tongue or suffer any other injuries. Joe was later joined by off-duty emergency medical technician Quill Exum. I owe them both my life.

Joe would later visit me at the hospital to check on me. Joe was humble, caring and sincere. He met my mother who thanked him and the rest of the bank staff for their calm and reassuring explanation of the events as they unfolded.

I have since learned that Joe Torres is running for Town of Wappinger Supervisor. I wish I could vote for him, but since I live in Poughkeepsie, I can't. The residents of Wappinger are lucky to have Joe Torres as a neighbor and will have a capable, caring man when he is elected supervisor.

Please vote for Joe Torres; he cares for his community.

Amy Krakower

Poughkeepsie

Humans need to respect park nature

I always try to look for the positive side of people and situations. Then, I read the July 28 article concerning wildlife killed by drivers in national parks because of a lack of caution, a lack of concern and a lack of common sense ( "National park visitors leave roadkill in their wake").

This is senseless killing. There is a lack of appreciation for the beauty and awe found in nature. It is ironic that visitors to national parks, in their desire to view the wildlife in their natural environment, do not exhibit the humanity to respect these living, magnificent creatures. What a shame!

It is staggering and sad to see the statistics about the number of large mammals killed increasing over 200 percent in 10 years. Again, what a shame!

Humanity and humane -aren't these synonymous?

Also, the helpful warning signs to alert drivers are stolen for souvenirs.

Humans are supposed to be the most intelligent species on the planet. Reading about situations of this nature makes me feel that we are not.

We share this planet and need to increase our consideration of all its precious resources. It's the right thing to do.

Rosemary Tanner

Pleasant Valley

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Letters to the editor 8/12

Borrow $250 billion without a vote ? that's what the New York state public authorities have done. There are 1,169 of these 'authorities,' and they all want to put us in debt.